BJJ Technique Encyclopedia

Master Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with our comprehensive technique library. Step-by-step guides, key details, common mistakes, and variations for every level.

569+

Techniques

9

Categories

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Submissions

Finishing techniques that force your opponent to tap out, including chokes, join...

103 techniques →

Sweeps

Techniques to reverse position from bottom to top, earning points in competition...

70 techniques →

Guard Passes

Techniques to get past your opponent's legs and establish a dominant top positio...

66 techniques →

Takedowns

Standing techniques to bring your opponent to the ground, including wrestling-ba...

84 techniques →

Guard Positions

Bottom positions where you use your legs to control, sweep, or submit your oppon...

49 techniques →

Escapes

Defensive techniques to get out of bad positions and return to a neutral or adva...

72 techniques →

Transitions

Movement between positions to improve your control or set up attacks....

55 techniques →

Positions

Dominant and neutral positions in BJJ, including control strategies and attack o...

62 techniques →

Fundamental Movements

Core movements and body mechanics that form the foundation of all BJJ techniques...

8 techniques →

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Popular Techniques

Rear Naked Choke

The rear naked choke (RNC) is one of the most high-percentage submissions in BJJ and MMA. Applied from back control, thi...

submissions • ★★☆☆☆

Triangle Choke

The triangle choke is a signature BJJ submission where you use your legs to form a triangle around your opponent's head ...

submissions • ★★☆☆☆

Guillotine Choke

The guillotine is a front headlock choke that can be applied standing or on the ground. It's particularly effective agai...

submissions • ★★☆☆☆

Bow and Arrow Choke

The bow and arrow choke is one of the tightest collar chokes in BJJ. From back control, you use the lapel to create trem...

submissions • ★★★☆☆

D'Arce Choke

The D'Arce choke (also called Brabo choke) is an arm triangle choke where your choking arm goes under the opponent's arm...

submissions • ★★★☆☆

Ezekiel Choke

The Ezekiel choke (Sode Guruma Jime) uses your sleeve to create a choking mechanism. Named after Olympic judoka Ezequiel...

submissions • ★★☆☆☆

North-South Choke

The north-south choke is a sneaky submission from the north-south position. Made famous by Marcelo Garcia, it uses shoul...

submissions • ★★★☆☆

Armbar from Guard

The armbar from closed guard is one of the first submissions taught in BJJ. By controlling your opponent's arm and pivot...

submissions • ★★☆☆☆

Armbar from Mount

The mounted armbar is a classic attack from the most dominant ground position. When your opponent pushes on your chest o...

submissions • ★★☆☆☆

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All Techniques A-Z

50-50 Heel Hook 50/50 Guard Americana Americana from Mount Americana from Side Control Anaconda Choke Anaconda Choke from Turtle Ankle Lock Escape Ankle Pick Ankle Pick Takedown Ankle Trip Aoki Lock Arm Drag Arm Drag Arm Drag to Back Take Arm Drag to Back Take Arm Drag to Back Take Sweep Arm Triangle Choke Arm Wrap Sweep Arm-In Guillotine Arm-In Guillotine Armbar Escape Armbar from Back Control Armbar from Guard Armbar from Mount Armbar from Triangle Armbar Hitchhiker Escape Armbar Stack Escape Ashi Garami Attacking Turtle (Turtle Guard) Back Clinch Peel Escape Back Control Back Crucifix Position Back Escape Roll Through Back Escape to Guard Back Escape to Turtle Back Mount Position Back Take from Half Guard Back Take from Side Control Back Take from Turtle Backstep Pass Balloon Sweep Banana Split Baratoplata Baratoplata from Guard Baseball Bat Choke Baseball Choke from Bottom Basic Back Escape Basic Side Control Escape Bear Trap Guard Belly Down Armbar Berimbolo Berimbolo Berimbolo Back Take Berimbolo Sweep Bicep Slicer Blast Double Leg Body Lock Control Body Lock Guard Body Lock Half Guard Pass Body Lock Pass Body Lock to Leg Drag Body Lock Trip Body Triangle Body Triangle Back Control Body Triangle Escape Bow and Arrow Choke Brabo Choke Breadcutter Choke Bridge and Roll Side Control Escape Bridging Buggy Choke Bulldog Choke Butterfly Arm Drag Sweep Butterfly Guard Pull Butterfly Guillotine Sweep Butterfly Half Guard Butterfly Half Guard Butterfly Sweep Butterfly Underhook Sweep Calf Slicer Can Opener Cartwheel Pass Chest to Chest Pass Clock Choke Clock Choke from Turtle Closed Guard Closed Guard Closed Guard Sweep to Mount Closed Guard with Overhook Collar and Leg Drag Collar Drag Collar Drag Sweep Collar Drag to Back Take Collar Grip Stack Pass Collar Guard Collar Sleeve Guard Collar Sleeve Guard Pull Collar Sleeve Guard Retention Collar Tie Ankle Pick Collar Tie to Inside Trip Coyote Guard Sweep Coyote Half Guard Crab Ride Crab Ride to Back Take Cross Ankle Pick Cross Body Ride Cross Collar Choke Cross Grip Guard Cross Grip Scissor Sweep Crossface to Underhook Crucifix Crucifix Kimura D'Arce Choke Darce Choke Defense De Ashi Barai De La Riva Ankle Grab Sweep De La Riva Back Take Sweep De La Riva Collar Drag Sweep De La Riva Guard De La Riva Guard De La Riva Guard Pull De La Riva Guard Retention De La Riva Knee Push Sweep De La Riva Overhead Sweep De La Riva Scissor Sweep De La Riva to X-Guard Sweep De La Riva Tripod Sweep Deep De La Riva Guard Deep De La Riva Sweep Deep Half Guard Deep Half Guard Deep Half Guard Sweep Deep Half Waiter Sweep Defensive Turtle Position DLR X-Guard Hybrid Dogbar Dogfight Sweep Donkey Guard Double Ankle Grab Sweep Double Guard Pull Scramble Double Leg Counter Takedown Double Leg Finish Double Leg from Body Lock Double Leg Takedown Double Leg to Side Control Double Pants Grip Torreando Double Under Pass Double Under Stack Pass Drop Seoi Nage Duck Under Dummy Sweep Elbow-Knee Escape Elbow-Knee Mount Escape Elbow-Knee Side Control Escape Electric Chair Electric Chair Sweep Elevator Sweep Estima Footlock Estima Lock Ezekiel Choke Ezekiel Choke Defense Ezekiel Choke from Inside Guard Fake Guard Pull to Ankle Pick Far Side Armbar from Side Control Far Side Knee on Belly Fireman's Carry Float Pass Floating Knee on Belly Flower Sweep Flying Guard Pull Folding Pass Foot Drag Mount Escape Foot Sweep Foot Sweep Combination Forward Roll from Turtle Frame and Replace Escape Front Headlock Front Headlock Scramble Front Turtle Control (Front Headlock) Ghost Escape Gi Butterfly Guard Gift Wrap Control Gogoplata Goose Neck Wristlock Granby Roll Granby Roll from Turtle Guard Pass to Mount Guard Pull Guard Pull Counter Scramble Guard Recovery from Half Guard Guard Recovery from Side Control Guard Retention Shrimp Guard to Back Take Guillotine Choke Guillotine Escape Guillotine from Guard Guillotine to Von Flue Defense Half Butterfly Guard Half Guard Half Guard Back Take Sweep Half Guard Crossface Pass Half Guard Dogfight Scramble Half Guard to Mount Hand Fighting Back Escape Harai Goshi Head and Arm Choke Head Inside Single Leg Headquarters Knee Cut Headquarters Position Heel Drag Mount Escape Heel Hook Heel Hook Escape Heel Hook Mechanics Helicopter Armbar High Crotch High Crotch to Double Leg High Guard High Mount Escape High Mount Position Hip Bump Sweep Hip Bump to Kimura Hip Clamp Guard Retention Hip Escape Guard Retention Hip Heist Hip Roll Escape Hip Switch Hip Switch Pass Hip Throw Hook Sweep Idiot Sweep Inside Heel Hook Inside Leg Drag Inside Sankaku Heel Hook Inside Trip Inside Trip Takedown Inversion Inversion Guard Retention Inversion Scramble Inverted Guard Inverted Triangle Choke Japanese Necktie John Wayne Sweep K Guard Kani Basami Kata Gatame Kata Guruma Kesa Gatame Kesa Gatame (Scarf Hold) Kimura Kimura from Mount Kimura from North-South Kimura Sit-Up Escape Kimura Trap Kipping Escape Kipping Mount Escape Kiss of the Dragon Kiss of the Dragon Knee Cut Against De La Riva Knee Cut Directly to Mount Knee Cut Pass Knee Cut to Back Take Knee Cut to Back Take Knee Cut to Leg Drag Knee Cut with Underhook Knee on Belly Knee on Belly Escape Knee on Belly Switch Knee on Belly to Mount Knee on Chest Position Knee Shield Knee Shield Half Guard Knee Shield Re-Guard Knee Shield Retention Knee Slice Pass Knee Slice to Mount Knee Slide Pass Knee Tap Pass Knee Tap Sweep from Half Guard Kneebar Kneebar Escape Kneebar Finish Kneebar from Half Guard Kneebar from Passing Ko Soto Gake Ko Uchi Gari Sweep from Guard Koala Guard Kouchi Gari Lapel Guard Lapel Half Guard Lapel-Assisted Knee Cut Lasso Guard Lasso Sweep Lateral Drop Lateral Drop Leg Drag Chain Pass Leg Drag from De La Riva Leg Drag Pass Leg Drag Pass Leg Drag to Back Take Leg Knot Leg Lock Scramble Leg Pummeling Leg Ride Leg Weave Pass Level Change Ankle Pick Lockdown Lockdown Half Guard Lockdown Sweep Log Splitter Pass Long Step Pass Loop Choke Low Mount Position Low Single Leg Mantis Guard Marcelo Garcia Butterfly Sweep Marcelotine Matador Pass Matrix Guard Misdirection Double Leg Modified Harai Goshi for BJJ Modified Uchi Mata for BJJ Monoplata Mount Escape to Half Guard Mount Escape to Leg Lock Mount Position Mount Survival Posture Mount to Back Take Mount to Back Take Mount to S-Mount Transition Mount to Technical Mount Mounted Cross Choke Mounted Crucifix Position Mounted Triangle No Arm Butterfly Sweep No-Gi Butterfly Guard No-Gi Ezekiel Choke No-Gi Half Guard No-Gi Hip Throw No-Gi Torreando Pass North South Transition North-South Arms Pinned North-South Choke North-South Choke Position North-South Escape North-South Escape North-South Kimura Position North-South Knee Tap Control North-South Position North-South to Side Control O Goshi Obi Tori Gaeshi Octopus Guard Old School Half Guard Sweep Old School Sweep Omoplata Omoplata from Rubber Guard Omoplata Roll Escape Open Guard Osoto Gari Ouchi Gari Outside Ashi Garami Heel Hook Outside Heel Hook Outside Single Leg Outside Trip Over-Under Pass Over-Under Stack Pass Overhead Sweep Overhook Sweep from Guard Palm Up Palm Down Choke Paper Cutter Choke Paper Cutter Side Control Passing Re-Guard Cycle Peek Out Escape Pendulum Sweep Peruvian Necktie Peterson Roll Escape Plan B Sweep Post and Single Leg Power Double Leg Power Guillotine Pressure Half Guard Pass Pressure Torreando Push Choke Defense to Armbar Push Sweep from Open Guard Push-Pull Collar Choke Quarter Guard Reactive Double Leg Rear Naked Choke Rear Naked Choke Defense Rear Naked Choke Defense Reverse Armbar Reverse De La Riva Guard Reverse De La Riva Guard Reverse De La Riva Sweep Reverse Half Guard Reverse Kesa Gatame Reverse Knee Cut Pass Reverse Knee on Belly Reverse Leg Drag Reverse Mount Position Reverse Omoplata Reverse Scarf Hold Rolling Kimura Rubber Guard Running Escape Running Escape from Side Control Running Pass Russian Tie S-Mount S-Mount Escape S-Mount Position Sacrifice Trip Saddle Position Sambo Kneebar Sao Paulo Pass Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi Scissor Sweep Scoot to Mat Back Escape Seat Belt Defense Seatbelt Back Control Seated Guard Seated Guard Pull Seated Guard Retention Seated Guard Torreando Seoi Nage Shallow Lasso Guard Shin Guard Shin on Shin Guard Shin Slide Pass Shin to Shin Sweep Short Choke Shoulder Clamp Sweep Shoulder Walk Back Escape Shrimping Sickle Sweep Side Control Side Control Escape to Turtle Side Control to Back Take Side Control to Knee on Belly Side Control to Mount Side Turtle Control Single Leg Dump Finish Single Leg Finish Single Leg from Clinch Single Leg Lift Finish Single Leg Run the Pipe Single Leg Stack Pass Single Leg Sweep Finish Single Leg Takedown Single Leg to Back Take Single Leg X Guard Single Leg X Guard Single Leg X Sweep Sit Out Escape Sit-Out from Turtle Sit-Up Guard Sit-Up Guard Sweep Sit-Up Sweep Sleeve Drag Sliding Collar Choke Smash Pass Snap Down Snap Down to Front Headlock Snapdown to Front Headlock Snatch Double Leg Sode Tsurikomi Goshi Speed Torreando Pass Spider Guard Spider Guard Spider Guard Sweep Spider Guard Sweep to Triangle Spider Guard to DLR Transition Spider Lasso Guard Spinning Armbar Squid Guard Stack Pass Against Triangle Stack Pass Directly to Mount Standard Knee on Belly Standard North-South Position Standing Back Escape Standing Leg Drag Standing Wristlock Standup from Turtle Star Sweep Step Around Pass Stiff Arm Side Control Escape Straight Ankle Lock Straight Ankle Lock from Standing Straight Armbar from Knee on Belly Straight Jacket Back Control Sumi Gaeshi Suplex Sweep Counter to Pass Switch Switch from Turtle Tai Otoshi Takedown Scramble Tani Otoshi Tarikoplata Technical Mount Escape Technical Stand Up Technical Standup Ten Finger Guillotine Texas Cloverleaf Toe Hold Toe Hold from 50-50 Tomoe Nage Tomoe Nage Sweep Toreando Pass Tornado Guard Torreando Against Butterfly Guard Torreando Chain Pass Torreando Pass Torreando to Knee on Belly Torreando with Leg Pin Traditional Side Control Trap and Roll Escape (Upa) Triangle Choke Triangle Choke from Mount Triangle Escape Triangle Posture Escape Tripod Sweep Truck Position Turtle Escape Turtle Guard Turtle Position Turtle Roll Escape Turtle to Back Escape Turtle to Guard Pull Turtle to Side Control Turtle Top Control Twister Twister Twister Side Control Two-on-One Ankle Pick Uchi Mata Underhook Side Control Escape Underhook Trip Upa (Trap and Roll) Mount Escape Ura Nage Von Flue Choke Waiter Sweep Weave Pass Williams Guard Williams Guard Wilson Pass Worm Guard Worm Guard Sweep Wrestler Sweep from Guard Wrestling Cradle Wrestling Scramble Wrestling Stand Up Wristlock Wristlock from Armbar Defense Wristlock from Closed Guard Wristlock from Mount X-Guard X-Guard Ankle Pick Sweep X-Guard Dummy Sweep X-Guard Overhead Sweep X-Guard Retention X-Guard Sweep X-Guard Technical Standup Sweep X-Guard to Single Leg X-Pass Yoko Tomoe Nage Z-Guard Z-Guard Hip Bump Sweep